Do you have a 10 year old eager to earn some cash? Even at age 10, kids are adept enough to work for pay. The best jobs for 10 year olds take into account their skills, interests, and of course, child labor laws.
These ideas for job opportunities for young people range from small tasks to bona fide business ownership opportunities. Which idea is right for your 10 year old?
Great Job Ideas for 10 Year Olds
There are many ways for kids to make money. And although following labor laws is vital, it’s important not to underestimate your child’s creative mind when it comes to work.
For example,I have a friend whose son started knocking on neighbors’ doors at 10 years old, asking if he could mow their lawns. Today, 15 years later, that young man has a flourishing landscaping business.
Will one of these job ideas for 10 year olds be your child’s ticket to financial independence?
Traditional Jobs for 10 Year Olds
These traditional jobs for 10 year olds may not sound exciting, but they can provide for great opportunities to dip your child’s toes into the working world.
1. Babysitting
If your child likes helping with children and has a caregiver personality, they might enjoy working as a babysitter.
You could have them start out by watching your younger kids, or talk with family, friends and neighbors who might need a babysitter.
Once your babysitter turns 11, they can take a Red Cross babysitting course and learn CPR and more.
2. Lemonade/Snack Stand
If you live in a bustling neighborhood, why not have your child start a lemonade or snack stand? They can serve lemonade, sell canned sodas and sell snacks such as granola bars.
Advertise babysitting services with family and friends you know and trust.
3. Mother’s Helper
If your child is great at helping around the house, they might enjoy working as a mother’s helper. A mother’s helper assists moms while they are at home with their families.
As a mother’s helper, your child might help by caring for or playing with the children or by doing light housekeeping chores such as folding laundry.
4. Light Housekeeping
Maybe your child likes cleaning the house. If they want housekeeping chores to comprise the brunt of their work, you or a family member or friend could pay them to help with housework.
For example, when my kids were preteens, my mom would hire them to dust, fold towels, vacuum or clean the bathroom.
Seasonal or Summer Jobs for 10 Year Olds
Seasonal jobs for 10 year olds will give them a taste of the working world without having to work all year around. Here are some work ideas a 10 year old might enjoy.
5. Lawn Mowing
Mowing lawns is a great way for kids to get exercise and earn some cash at the same time. Pay them to mow your own lawn, or encourage them to seek business from neighbors that live close by.
6. Yard Sale
Spring, summer and fall are ripe seasons for yard sales. Have your kids sell toys or clothes they no longer use or need.
Or, have them sell family items that are no longer used and give them a percentage of the profits as their pay.
7. Snow Shoveling
Shoveling snow in the winter is a great way to earn some cash. Have your kids seek out clients in the fall before the snow flies.
They can visit neighbors and set rates in advance.
8. Garden Tending
Weeding the garden is one of those jobs that people often don’t like to do. Have your child visit neighbors with gardens and ask if they can assist in keeping the garden free of weeds.
Gardening gloves and a gardening spade are good tools for your child to have on hand for this job.
Online Jobs for 10 Year Olds
Check out these online job options for 10 year olds. Note that some of these ideas may require parent permission/involvement.
9. Etsy Store Owner
If your 10 year old is great at craft-making, or if your family has a craft business, why not share it on Etsy?
You can sell homemade crafts of all kinds, as well as vintage items and craft making supplies on Etsy. There are many great ways to make money on Etsy.
10. T-Shirt Designer
Did you know that you can make money by selling t-shirts online? Sites such as Redbubble allow you to upload your own t-shirt designs.
Redbubble makes the shirts and other items, ships them to buyers and handles all customer service and payment. They’ll send you a check for your percentage of the sales of your designs.
11. YouTube Channel Owner
If your child has great information to share with the world, why not help them start their own YouTube channel?
They can share information on a variety of subjects such as toy reviews, homework help and more.
12. Social Media Influencer
Does your child like to spend time on social media? Help them turn that time into income by creating social media accounts that gain more views.
They can share reviews of popular kid items such as toys and clothes, give tips for surviving life in middle school or simply be an encouragement to their followers.
As their pages gain more followers, you can seek out partnerships with advertisers.
13. Online Gamer
You might be surprised at how many kids make money gaming–and by how much money they can earn.
This Twitch article will tell you more about how to make money by streaming your child’s online game time.
Businesses for 10 Year Olds
Entrepreneurship can start at any age. Just take Willie Robertson for example who sold bubble gum from his locker when he was in middle school.
14. Sell Home-Baked Goods
Parents can help kids earn money by selling homemade baked goods. You can sell bread, cookies, cupcakes and more.
Check state and local laws for details on food prep and handling.
15. Farmer’s Market Stand
Registering for a stand at your local farmer’s market can be another great way for 10 year olds to make money.
Farmer’s Markets will allow you to sell anything from fruits and vegetables, to canned goods to baked goods.
As a minor, 10 year olds will have to have guardians accompany them to their Farmer’s Market stand if state or local laws require that.
16. Dog Walking
A dog walking business is another potentially lucrative job idea for 10 year olds. Gain weekly clients and walk multiple dogs at a time in order to earn the most cash.
Advertise your services in local papers or on local social media pages. Or, you could set up a profile (parents will need to authorize) on a site such as Rover.
Learn more by reading our Rover Review.
17. Tutoring
For 10 year olds that are whizzes at math, reading or other school subjects, starting a tutoring business could be successful.
Reach out to parents of younger elementary school-aged kids and ask if you can help them with school subjects they may be struggling in.
18. Car Washing
Why not start a mobile car washing business to make some extra cash? Bring your own buckets, rags and cleaning supplies, and use your clients’ hose and water to make cars sparkly and shiny.
Advertise on social media sites such as Nextdoor.com, or spread word about your services on Facebook community pages. .
Household Jobs for 10 Year Olds
You can always have your 10 year old help you with jobs around the house that you’d like done but can’t find the time. Here are some ideas.
19. Laundry Folding
Have your 10 year old help with folding towels, socks and other laundry. Once they get folding down, consider teaching them how to use the washer and dryer.
Then they can be in charge of all laundry tasks. This is a great job that can help prepare them for adulthood.
20. Dusting
Dusting furniture, window sills and baseboards can be a great opportunity for kids to make money.
Have them dust at home or ask family and friends if they’d like to hire out for the job. Schedule weekly dusting jobs to make for a regular income and help keep client homes spiffy.
21. Organizing a Space
Organizing spaces such as closets and drawers can be great work for preteens. You can have them organize anything from office spaces to kitchens to the garage or basement.
Break down larger organizing jobs into smaller, more manageable tasks to make the task more kid-friendly. Pay per space that you have them organize.
22. Pet Care
Consider paying your child to help care for the family pet. Your 10 year old can help groom with a variety of pet tasks.
For instance, they can walk the family dog, clean up after dogs and cats, feed pets or groom cats and dogs.
23. Dinner Prepping
While your 10 year old may not be ready to make and serve a meal, they can work at helping with dinner. Pay them to set the table, set serving dishes out and clean up after the meal is finished.
24. Plant Caretaker
Caring for plants is a job that can be suitable for younger children. You can pay your child to water plants around the home or yard.
Teach the child instructions for each individual type of plant and how much water it requires.
Learning this skill could eventually turn into a job where they can work for neighbors, family members or friends who are on vacation.
25. Dishwasher
10 year olds are at a great age to start helping with dishes. Pay your child to wash dishes by hand or to load, start and unload the dishwasher.
I’m not sure about you, but as a parent this is one job I’d happily pay to take off of my to-do list.
Child Labor Laws for 10 Year Olds
The U.S. Department of Labor does have some requirements for job seekers under 14 years of age.
For example, if your child is under 14 years of age, they are expected to have a light workload consisting of chores such as:
- Delivering newspapers
- Casual babysitting
- Working as an actor in movies, TV, theater or on radio
- Working as a homeworker gathering evergreens and making evergreen wreaths
- Doing work for a business owned entirely by the child’s parents as long as the work isn’t in a prohibited industry
A child under age 14 may be allowed to do light housework, lawn care and entrepreneurial work too as long as state, local and federal laws allow it and the work isn’t too intense.
The work must also not interfere with your child’s schooling and homework time. Check state, local and federal labor laws for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
When it comes to finding the right job for a 10 year old, you may have a few more questions. Here’s a look at commonly asked questions.
Is it legal for 10 year olds to work?
It is legal for 10 year olds to do some jobs. Check the section above on child labor laws for more information.
How much should a 10 year old get paid?
Pay your 10 year old whatever you think is fair for the task they are completing. When working for others, help your 10 year old to negotiate a fair wage.
What jobs are prohibited for 10 year olds?
Certain jobs such as manufacturing and jobs involving machinery are prohibited for children under 15. See this Department of Labor document for more information.
How many hours a week can a 10 year old work?
The number of hours a 10 year old can work isn’t defined by the Department of Labor. However, they must only work in approved occupations (see above) and the work cannot interfere with their schooling.
Final Thoughts
The best jobs for 10 year olds are jobs that are fitting for their age and skill level. Yes, it’s okay for a child to learn new skills, and doing so is an important part of growing up.
Just be sure they are working at jobs that aren’t beyond a 10 year old’s ability to work safely. Ensure there is an adult supervisor present for jobs that are new to your child or require adult supervision.
Having random jobs for your 10 year old is a great way to teach them responsibility and help them earn cash at the same time.